Cycle Training

look like a twat.

he looks like hippy.

q.e.d

Had a great ride into work today, had a (albeit slightly smug) confidence that I was positioned correctly to ensure my safety. Got beeped at a few times and gave them my regal wave.

One of the interesting things is you become more part of the flow of traffic and the journey is smoother and less stilted.

I did the CTUK training back in May following a suggesstion by Oliver. As I live in Haringey I just had to pay £5 for the 2 hour lesson. DJ's experiences sound similar to mine, albeit at the time I had not done much riding on the road, but was confident on a bike.

Well worth swallowing ones pride for a couple of hours and going back to basics.

I did his with Lambeth council a fair few years back. I think they are still subsidies to encourage riders to get training. Good work dj.

Hi
I'm from Cycle Training UK and a vestal fixie (soon to be rectified). I just want to say that if you are interested in training with us (2 hour lesson) we offer subsidised rates in the following areas (live/work or study in the area to qualify):
City - training for £8 (two hours). If you do the training the maintenance courses (day courses) are £8 too .Brent - free training. Hammersmith & Fulham - £5. Waltham Forest - Free. Lambeth - £8. Hackney - free. Haringey - £5. Lewisham - £10

If you don't live in a funded borough we can offer a fixed gear special offer: 20% off our normal rate - £24 per hour £48 per lesson.
Best,

Very good post DJ...

Jeaniejeanjean, does the £6 for an extra person thing still apply?

Balki - If you are paying privately , yes we charge an extra £6 - if the riders are of a similar skill level (we call it 'paired riding). If you can though try and go through a subsidised area and get 1:1. You'll get more out of it.
best,

I think I will do the training once I am recovered and can get back on the bike. I must have loads of bad habits I don't even realise I'm doing.

He looks like Hippy.

Bullshit.

Thanks Jeannie. I dont live in one of those subsidised areas unfortunately. How rigorous are your borough of residence screening techniques? ;)

A friend of mine is interested and I was going to tag along so that sounds good.

So, say we wanted to do:

On road cycling
Advanced road skills

How many hours does that usually take? Obviously you'd do that in separate sessions.

I must have loads of bad habits I don't even realise I'm doing.

Drinking heavily? Hope you're feeling better dude.

Great post James and well done for taking the time and trouble to attend.

Great post indeed James. My cycle training was not as thorough as yours so I think I am going to book myself on another one.

I did two bike maintenance courses with Cycle Training UK and they were great: proof I taught Jaygee how to fit difficult tyres (Vittoria Randonneur) and he did it very easily. I know, I watched him.

DJ, for your anger problems, meditations on metta (loving-kindness) and compassion are life-changing.

I did two bike maintenance courses with Cycle Training UK and they were great: proof I taught Jaygee how to fit difficult tyres (Vittoria Randonneur) and he did it very easily. I know, I watched him.

Oh, why did you? That could have been a cracker of a thread. ;)

Just a follow up on this, a little bump, especially due to the step back in time of last week.

Its been a couple of weeks now and I am enjoying my cycling around town even more.

I feel a lot safer and am much more considered about filtering etc. My observation has improved and I feel like I am part of the traffic flow a lot more. As a result I think I am moving through traffice better, so I actually get places in the same time as if I were doing my tortoise and hare impersonation.

There are still idiots in cars and on bikes who drive without observing anything, but I am now assessing risk better and these offenders are easy to spot.

If you are ever wondering how to make yourself a little safer on the road then I would suggest this. Extra lights and fluoro gear may be of some assistance but confidently riding in the safest position on the road will be a lot better.

The other thing is to suggest such training to friends and family who are concerned about cycling safety.

I shall try to fit in a couple of hours of cycle training this coming weekend, house viewings permitting.

Just a follow up on this, a little bump, especially due to the step back in time of last week.

Its been a couple of weeks now and I am enjoying my cycling around town even more.

I feel a lot safer and am much more considered about filtering etc. My observation has improved and I feel like I am part of the traffic flow a lot more. As a result I think I am moving through traffice better, so I actually get places in the same time as if I were doing my tortoise and hare impersonation.

There are still idiots in cars and on bikes who drive without observing anything, but I am now assessing risk better and these offenders are easy to spot.

If you are ever wondering how to make yourself a little safer on the road then I would suggest this. Extra lights and fluoro gear may be of some assistance but confidently riding in the safest position on the road will be a lot better.

The other thing is to suggest such training to friends and family who are concerned about cycling safety.

Excellent advice. Great to hear it's working so well for you!

I gather that there is a really good new coach on the London scene. I am signing up with him. James, you used him, didn't you? How was it?

^^^^^^^^^^^^Proof that it works:-
"Forwards ever, backwards never, prepare for whatever and always stay clever,
in any endeavour intelligence is better, and be on guard for false prophets in leather"
KRS-ONE

I gather that there is a really good new coach on the London scene. I am signing up with him. James, you used him, didn't you? How was it?

Mr Multigrooves?

I used David, aka Skydancer

From memory Wiganwill is currently in training, Multigrooves has done the course as has *m.f

I would trust any of them.

am def going to do this to get me riding on the roads again. thanks for the posts dj

Jemjah,

I was looking up the cycle training provisions in Dorset for work a couple of months back and did hear that there was some subsidised provision going on through the leisure centres. The web link that I was given has now expired but worth checking in with the council about this.

brilliant, thank you. if not, will brave London! i think it might be good for me... or maybe even do one here and one in town....

Wigan will completed the instructors course last week.